VM marketing responses

[P3D Jamie Drouin <jdrouin@xxxxxxxx>]

     Marvin is quite right that it is relatively simple for an individual
(in the US) to produce a VM reel through TYCO.  The majority of my
difficulties (and the main reason I told my story was because people
asked...I was not complaining) were related to time constraints.  But the
other big problem was obviously being in Canada.  I am probably not the
first Canadian to make a reel through TYCO, and it makes me wonder how
others in my situation survived.

     As has been pointed out already, Special Projects (and Charley) is
there to provide a service for people like myself, but there are a few
things I'd like to mention:

1. A minimum run of 1000 reels (which costs approximately $1250US for the
reels and the basic white single-reel envelopes) is far too large for many
businesses to invest in.  I have discovered this first-hand in my attempts
to pitch ideas to other institutions.  500 reels is much more realistic for
anyone smaller than the Metropolitan Museum.

2. As has also been pointed out, the standard candy red viewer is working
against even the best mature-oriented reels, but again, 1000 minimum order
for the black version is too large for most places.

3. To paraphrase my discussions with Seanita at Special Projects:  They ARE
trying to think of some new marketing strategies, such as visibly promoting
the VM reel as a venue for companies to advertise new products, etc...  I
do not think it would hurt to show our support for the creation of new
venues, and even suggest subjects and marketing options.  Yes, I can
approach Charley or Special Projects with the idea to put VM reels in every
major gallery and museum featuring famous works of art, or educational sets
for all levels of schooling in subjects such as history, science, art,
technology, but I am also incapable of funding and maintaining such a large
project.  YES, I firmly believe that if marketed properly and if enough
titles are offered, that these ideas will work, but I also think that TYCO
should be backing it somehow.

      I had a very interesting discussion yesterday where the person said
that she always seems to end up carrying home catalogues from the museums
she visits, as a record of her visit and as a permanent resource for her
personal art library.  She said that she would MUCH prefer to simply carry
home a purse full of VM reels, not only because of the size difference, but
also because of the quality of the images.  It is also interesting that she
admitted not instantly picking up my reel after hearing it was the only one
available.  She hesitated buying a viewing system (albeit extremely
inexpensive) to be limited to one art reel.  She thought the idea of being
able to order, or pick up on-site, several different art reels was
wonderful.


                                                     :-)jamie.

Jamie Drouin (jdrouin@xxxxxxxx)
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    View-Master Collector
    and Stereophotographer
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